Hexagram 23 · ䷖

Splitting Apart

剝 · Bō

Upper Mountain 艮Lower Earth 坤

The Judgment · 卦辭

不利。有攸往。

Po indicates that (in the state which it symbolises) it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.

The Image · 大象

山附地上，剝；上以厚下，安宅。

(The trigrams representing) the earth, and (above it) that for a mountain, which adheres to the earth, form Po. Superiors, in accordance with this, seek to strengthen those below them, to secure the peace and stability of their own position.

Plain-English Meaning

Splitting apart. Something is wearing away; do not force it. Strengthen your foundation and wait.

The Judgment

It is not a favourable time to go anywhere.

The Image

Like a mountain resting on the earth, be generous to those below to keep your own house secure.

Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.

The Lines · 爻辭

初六 · Line 1
剝牀以足，蔑貞凶。
The first SIX, divided, shows one overturning the couch by injuring its legs. (The injury will go on to) the destruction of (all) firm correctness, and there will be evil.
象曰：剝牀以足，以滅下也。
六二 · Line 2
剝牀以辨，蔑貞凶。
The second SIX, divided, shows one overthrowing the couch by injuring its frame. (The injury will go on to) the destruction of (all) firm correctness, and there will be evil.
象曰：剝牀以辨，未有與也。
六三 · Line 3
剝之，无咎。
The third SIX, divided, shows its subject among the overthrowers; but there will be no error.
象曰：剝之无咎，失上下也。
六四 · Line 4
剝牀以膚，凶。
The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject having overthrown the couch, and (going to injure) the skin (of him who lies on it). There will be evil.
象曰：剝牀以膚，切近災也。
六五 · Line 5
貫魚，以宮人寵，无不利。
The fifth SIX, divided, shows (its subject leading on the others like) a string of fishes, and (obtaining for them) the favour that lights on the inmates of the palace. There will be advantage in every way.
象曰：以宮人寵，終无尤也。
上九 · Line 6
碩果不食，君子德車，小人剝廬。
The topmost NINE, undivided, shows its subject (as) a great fruit which has not been eaten. The superior man finds (the people again) as a chariot carrying him. The small men (by their course) overthrow their own dwellings.
象曰：君子得輿，民所載也。小人剝廬，終不可用也。

English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.

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